I've been thinking a lot about the fact that minsitry is a lot like new shoes. When you first try on a pair of shoes in the store, they either fit, or they don't. And, ill-fitting shoes is just not chic!
No matter how much you try to stretch a shoe, or alter it in any way, the shoe never fits like a shoe that feels made for your foot.
So many times, we try to make people fit into ministries that have been established in the church, and it's not a good fit! The people may be able to work within the parameters of whatever ministry they are doing, but it will never be as good a fit as a ministry custom made for the person with the passion. And that's just not chic!
New shoes are such fun, too. They are smooth without scuffs and without those telltale creases of wear and use. New shoes can be colorful and can coordinate so very well with clothes in your closet, or even the other shoes in your wardrobe.
Ministry in the congregation is all about trying to get people to find their fit and then to be able to shine! Now, that is chic!!
New shoes, well-fitting, just have to make God smile...I know it does me!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
New Holy Order
I have this idea for a new Holy Order for ordained clergy women. To be honest, it's a small order, with no real book of discipline...just a promise to wear seasonally correct footwear in the pulpit while preaching or leading worship.
No annual dues because paying for the right color shoes should be enough!
But, think of the fun and the comments from our "folks" as our shoes match our paraments.
Interested? Then take this following vow:
I (insert your name here), a (insert your profession here) at (insert your congregation name, city, and denomination) do hereby vow that from henceforth I will wear seasonally, liturgically appropriate footwear while preaching or leading worship. I understand by doing so, I am joining The Holy Order of Clergy Chicks with Seasonally Liturgically Appropriate Footwear. No one will be checking on me, but photos posted to this blog would be acceptable proof of membership in this order. I will remain a member until such a time that I wish to disavow myself.
That's it! Welcome sisters of HOCCSLAF! I've started wearing liturgically seasonally appropriate footwear in my new congregation in the desert, and what a hoot! I get comments almost every week about loving my shoes.
Look, we're women in a man's job...but does that mean we have to stop being women? NO!
Shopping for shoes is fun, and dear sisters, our footwear is tax deductable (if you follow the IRS guidelines)!
Love to hear from you!
Clergy Chic
No annual dues because paying for the right color shoes should be enough!
But, think of the fun and the comments from our "folks" as our shoes match our paraments.
Interested? Then take this following vow:
I (insert your name here), a (insert your profession here) at (insert your congregation name, city, and denomination) do hereby vow that from henceforth I will wear seasonally, liturgically appropriate footwear while preaching or leading worship. I understand by doing so, I am joining The Holy Order of Clergy Chicks with Seasonally Liturgically Appropriate Footwear. No one will be checking on me, but photos posted to this blog would be acceptable proof of membership in this order. I will remain a member until such a time that I wish to disavow myself.
That's it! Welcome sisters of HOCCSLAF! I've started wearing liturgically seasonally appropriate footwear in my new congregation in the desert, and what a hoot! I get comments almost every week about loving my shoes.
Look, we're women in a man's job...but does that mean we have to stop being women? NO!
Shopping for shoes is fun, and dear sisters, our footwear is tax deductable (if you follow the IRS guidelines)!
Love to hear from you!
Clergy Chic
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